Audi A3 reliability
The Audi A3 fails its MOT less often than most cars 6 to 10 years old: 18.1% of 184,160 tests failed in 2023, against 24.4% on average.
24 DVSA recalls for the Audi A3
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Stop-drive TAKATA PSAN
Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Affected vehicles were originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Certain front airbags contain an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle.
Fix: Affected airbags will be be replaced. You can contact Audi's dedicated Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM.
Recalled models: A3 · 56 vehicles
Replacing TAKATA driver airbag
On imported Audi vehicles previously used in a warm climate zone and fitted with TAKATA driver airbag manufactured within a specific period it is possible that the gas generator housing may cause small metal parts to become dislodged from the housing and potentially injure the driver or a passenger.
Fix: As a precautionary safety measure it is necessary to replace the gas generator in the airbag unit on the driver side of the vehicle.
Recalled models: A3 · 167 vehicles
On affected vehicles an electrical connector for the power supply for the fuse carrier in the interior of the vehicle may have not been installed correctly.
On affected vehicles an electrical connector for the power supply for the fuse carrier in the interior of the vehicle may have not been installed correctly.
Fix: Check the electrical connection and secure if necessary.
Recalled models: A3 · 104,162 vehicles
Restraining capacity of the belt system for the front seats may be lower than intended in the event of an accident
The restraining capability of the belt system for the front seats may be lower than intended in the event of an accident.�
Fix: As a precautionary safety measure it is necessary to replace both front seat belts. Advice is given�against transporting children on the front passenger seat until the seat belts have been replaced.�
Recalled models: A3 · 174 vehicles
The fuse in the high-voltage system may have been manufactured with an insufficient quantity of extinguishing sand
The fuse in the high-voltage system (HV system) in vehicles built within a limited period may have been manufactured with an insufficient quantity of extinguishing sand.
Fix: Insulation must be fitted above the switching unit for the high-voltage battery.
Recalled models: A3 e-tron · 3,656 vehicles
The bolted connection on the input rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal can be come loose
The bolted connection of the pull rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal may come loose resulting in a loss of all service braking ability.�
Fix: Vehicles are not to be driven and the bolted connection of the input rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal must be checked and if necessary retightened.
Recalled models: A3 · 11 vehicles
The camshaft adjuster belt pulley may break or the housing bolts may come loose
The belt pulley for the camshaft adjuster may break or the bolts for the camshaft adjuster housing may come loose
Fix: The camshaft adjuster must be replaced on the affected vehicles
Recalled models: A3 · 133 vehicles
Possible discrepancy in the manufacturing process of the centre rear seat head restraint
The centre rear head restraint may not be to specification.
Fix: Check the head restraint and replace if necessary.
Recalled models: A3 · 1,573 vehicles
The mounting for the head restraint is not correctly welded to the outer backrest frame for the rear seat
The rear back rest head restraint mounting is not correctly welded.
Fix: Check and replace rear back rest frame if required.
Recalled models: A3 · 147 vehicles
Starter motor may malfunction and overheat
On vehicles with diesel engines and stop/start system the starter motor may be permanently activated because the return spring in the solenoid switch is bent or broken. If the permanent current supply to the starter motor is not noticed overheating of the component with local scorching damage and a vehicle fire is possible.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the solenoid switch.
Recalled models: A3 · 5,208 vehicles
Passenger airbag may not deploy as intended
There is a possibility of a faulty weld on the gas generator. If the airbag is deployed there is a risk that parts could be projected into the cabin with risk of injury to the occupants.
Fix: On affected vehicles replace the front passenger air bag module with a correctly manufactured version.
Recalled models: A3 · 6 vehicles
Rear hub carriers not manufactured to correct standard
The hardening process for the rear wheel bearing housings may not have been correctly performed. In the worst case this could lead to a fractured housing. Should a fractured housing occur there would be abnormal noises bad tyre wear and a theoretical possibility of wheel loss.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the right and left rear wheel bearing housings.
Recalled models: A3 · 30 vehicles
Abs/esc system may fail
On vehicles with ABS/ESC the earth connection may be interrupted. This may cause failure of the ABS/ESC system.
Fix: On affected vehicles install new software. Where necessary a new ABS/ESC control unit will be fitted.
Recalled models: A3 · 38,548 vehicles
Fuel may leak
On 2.0l Common Rail engines of a limited production period faulty material can cause leaks on the high pressure pipes during the service life of the vehicle.
Fix: Fitting of anti-vibration balance weights must be fitted on the high-pressure pipes.
Recalled models: A3 · 1,825 vehicles
Clutch may operate inadvertently with unexpected loss of drive.
In rare cases an incorrect interpretation of the clutch temperature can occur which results in the clutch opening unexpectedly with loss of drive.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles and update/reprogramme gearbox control unit.
Recalled models: A3 · 1,454 vehicles
Curtain airbag may not inflate in a collision
The gas required to inflate the curtain airbag can escape gradually through a defective welded seam on the gas generator. In this instance the curtain airbag would fail to inflate in a collision.
Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the curtain airbag replaced.
Recalled models: A3 · 92 vehicles
Flywheel may fail fire may result
The two mass flywheel can become damaged because of a non-optimally designed through-flow restrictor in the clutch pressure pipe. This can lead to a total failure of the flywheel and under unfavourable circumstances to a vehicle fire.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and establish the manufacturer of the two mass flywheel. Where necessary replace the flywheel and the breather of the clutch pressure pipe.
Recalled models: A3 · 8,586 vehicles
Bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break
It is advised that on some vehicles fitted with a 3 and 4 cylinder pump injector engine the bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break due to a bolt production fault. As a result the pump housing will not be tight and a diesel fuel leak may occur.
Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the pump checked for being of a certain manufacture. If found to be within the affected range the pump housing cover bolts will be replaced.
Recalled models: A3 · 14,820 vehicles
Shatter cracks may occur on a vacuum pipe to brake servo
Shatter cracks may occur on the vacuum pipe to the brake servo near the connections. If a vacuum pipe leaks a lot more force will be necessary to operate the brake pedal.
Fix: The fitted vacuum pipes will be checked and replaced if necessary.
Recalled models: A3 · 21,335 vehicles
Airbag may not deploy
On 79 vehicles within the VIN ranges affected (with 3-spoke sports steering wheel) it is possible that in the event of a collision impact above the triggering threshold of the airbags the driver's airbag may not be deployed.
Fix: The drivers airbag unit will be replaced on all affected vehicles with 3-spoke sports steering wheel.
Recalled models: A3 · 541 vehicles
Anti lock brake control unit concern
There is a risk that an electrical fault in the anti lock brake control unit (ABS) can cause overheating of related electrical components. This may lead to fire damage and cause the service brake to revert to a non-anti lock mode of operation.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles to check the part number and supplier code of the ABS control unit. Renew the ABS control unit where found necessary.
Recalled models: A3 · 99 vehicles
Possible jamming of accelerator mechanism
It is possible that part of the throttle actuator mechanism can rub against the bonnet insulation and in a worst-case situation could become jammed.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles and fit modified insulation material.
Recalled models: A3 · 1,765 vehicles
Rear left and right seat belt retractor mounting brackets may be prone to fatigue cracking
In isolated cases the securing brackets for the rear left and right seat belt retractors may be prone to fatigue cracking. This means that the seat belts for the outer rear seats may not provide the maximum level of protection under extreme conditions.
Fix: Fit reinforcement plates at the belt retractors.
Recalled models: A3 · 2,822 vehicles
Front seat belt height adjuster
The front seat belt height adjuster may not have been manufactured to the correct specification and could endanger the belt wearer in an accident situation.
Fix: Affected vehicles are being recalled to dealers for inspection and where required the installation of a new seat belt height adjuster.
Recalled models: A3 · 1,097 vehicles
Checking a Audi A3 before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.